The Ministry of Discipline
April 20
The Hebrew word translated "heat" in this passage may also be ren-
dered as "wrath," "fury," or "hot displeasure." The term suggests that
Ezekiel became angry and bitter over his commission. He did not argue
with God audibly like Habakkuk, but apparently seethed inwardly, sitting
in silence among the captives at Telabib. Since the prophet did not explain
the cause of his emotional upheaval, we can only deduce that his frustra-
tion resulted from a combination of several things: his disappointed hopes,
the difficulty of the assignment, righteous indignation because of the spir-
itual defection of his countrymen, and, perhaps, feelings of unfitness.
2.
When God recommissioned the reluctant prophet seven days later,
what physical phenomenon befell him? Eze. 3:16, 17, 22-27.
"As with Zacharias (Luke 1:22), who disbelieved the words of the
angel, there seems to be a rebuke here of Ezekiel's refusal to speak when
bidden. Yet the Lord used the experience for good. The dumbness of the
prophet and the ability to speak only when the Lord opened his mouth was
a further sign to that rebellious house that the words were indeed the words
of the Lord."—SDA
Bible Commentary,
vol. 4, p. 587.
This state of intermittent dumbness lasted until the destruction of
Jerusalem in 586 B.C., about seven and one-half years. Ezekiel's loss of
speech may have led him to act out many of his prophecies, although other
prophets also used visual aids. (See Jer. 27:2, 3; 28:10; Isa. 20:3, 4.)
3.
How did Ezekiel act out his first message to the captives? What
did it foretell? Eze. 4:1-3; 5:5-8.
4.
What good purpose did the Lord anticipate would be achieved
through the destruction of Judah and the scattering of His people?
Eze. 20:37, 38, 43 (compare Jer. 30:11).
"Humbled in the sight of the nations, those who once had been recog-
nized as favored of Heaven above all other peoples of the earth were to
learn in exile the lesson of obedience so necessary for their future happi-
ness. Until they had learned this lesson, God could not do for them all that
He desired to do. 'I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee
altogether unpunished,' He declared in explanation of His purpose to chas-
tise them for their spiritual
good."—Prophets and Kings,
p. 475.
5.
How are we to understand the biblical record in which God Him-
self says, "I raise up the Chaldeans" (Hab. 1:6)? Jer. 27:5-8.
Ezekiel's acted parable of the siege of Jerusalem represented
God's judgments against Judah (Eze. 5:8). Why did the Lord use
wicked nations to discipline and test His people? See Isa. 10:5-13
(compare Job 42:11; 1:9-12; 2:5-7).
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